Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘NHI should play greater role in preventative maintenance’- Hon Wheatley

- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley said he will insist that it is done
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said National Health Insurance (NHI) should do more for clients when it comes to preventative care. Photo:
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) said he will insist that the National Health Insurance plays a greater role in preventative care measures. Photo: NHI
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) said he will insist that the National Health Insurance plays a greater role in preventative care measures. Photo: NHI
(L-R) Public Health Communications Specialist Mrs Natasha Lettsome-Humphrey and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9). Photo: YouTube
(L-R) Public Health Communications Specialist Mrs Natasha Lettsome-Humphrey and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9). Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), has said National Health Insurance (NHI) should do more for clients when it comes to preventative care.

Hon Wheatley shared his opinion while discussing BVI Wellness Fest, scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, with Public Health Communications Specialist Mrs Natasha Lettsome-Humphrey.

Health screenings will be an important topic at the activity. “Let a person only go to the doctor when they feel sick. We’re saying no, no, no. Check your health regularly,” Hon Wheatley said. 

‘NHI should play a greater role’

The Health Minister added he wants more people to get examined for breast cancer, for example. 

“I want to see more persons sponsoring persons to go take the exam. In fact, NHI too, I think, should play a greater role in preventative maintenance.”

He asked why NHI cannot pay all the copays for those who want a breast cancer screening. 

“I am going to insist that they participate more actively in these kinds of preventative measures, because sometimes what we find is that the cost of these things becomes a barrier to persons seeking the health and screenings that they need.”

6 Responses to “‘NHI should play greater role in preventative maintenance’- Hon Wheatley ”

  • Preventative maintenance (05/11/2026, 08:15) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    HONORABLE WHEATLEY - why don't you start with the example of preventative maintenance and get the incinerator repaired. YOU ARE KILLING YOUR OWN PEOPLE EVERY DAY!

  • HMMM (05/11/2026, 08:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some dishonest people working there, they promised one thing and knowingly know they have to put it in writing as evidence but doesn't but just fooling the unknowingly clients. another issue is I applied over 2 years now for nhi renewal card and up to now they cannot say what happened to my application
    • Fran (05/11/2026, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ HMMM, go again with your picture and fill out a new application. Make sure you sign everything before leaving. My husband just got his renewed. They made him come back twice because they forgot to have him sign it. They are too lax about doing things right.
  • Lord 0. (05/11/2026, 09:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How long would you allow NHI to payout these high ridiculous cost to private health contractors, you have the cost data, and if looking at it doesn't concern you, we ain't getting no where...VIP has 3 Hurdles to get over, 1/ Health, 2/ water, 3/ Low minimum wage..VIP is miscalculating the power of low income workers..They will pay at the polls,
  • NHI department store (05/11/2026, 09:57) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Every Dr’s selling something billing the NHI for tests not cures , not interested in their customers health just their health benefits, profit is the bottom line not public health turning us into a little USA .
  • Mehson (05/11/2026, 16:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    for true they just trying to cut we feet off give us glp1


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.
Video Ad


Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.